Pole engageable tool container

ABSTRACT

A tool container providing engagement to the distal end of a pole, such as a pool maintenance utility pole. The tool container being substantially tubular having an axial passage with a first and second cavity separated by an end wall. The first cavity being substantially larger than the second cavity as to receive one or a plurality of tools such as screwdrivers in secured engagement. The first end also having a removable cap.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to tool containers. Moreparticularly it relates to a tool container that is removable to thedistal end of a pole.

2. Prior Art

Toolboxes, containers, and carriers have provided service workers witheasy and convenient ways to carry and transport tools. A tool belt, wornabout the waist of a user, provides a conventional means to carry toolsfor on-the-go use wherein the user does not have to continually returnto a stationary tool box for tools and equipment as needed. Often a toolbelt is made of reinforced material such as leather and can carry asubstantial amount of tools and therefore weigh quite a lot. However,such a tool-carrying device is not necessarily practical or comfortableif the working conditions do not easily permit such a device or whenonly few tools are required throughout the day.

Prior art has shown many attempts in the improvement of tool carryingand holding devices such as through the employment of small, sleek,carrying containers. One example is seen in US Pub. No. 2009/0183608 A1to Johnson et al. wherein a compact cylindrical tool body is employed tohold a plurality of tools, such as hexagonal wrenches. The cylindricalbody is additionally a handle. However, these and additional prior arttool carrying devices, although compact, do not additionally provide ameans for the user to conveniently carry the device that may be desiredthroughout a busy work day. Furthermore, they do not provide a means toengage additional existing tools a service worker may concurrently beemploying.

For a first example, pool maintenance and service workers are typicallyon their feet for an extended period of time when cleaning the pool orperforming maintenance on equipment such as water pumps and filters.When cleaning a pool, workers almost always use the conventionaltelescoping utility pole wherein the distal end employs a brush, scoop,or the like for cleaning or removing debris. During use the worker isconstantly bending and reaching to accommodate the variety of pool sizesand'depths. If the worker needs a tool they must put down the pole andwalk out to their vehicle and search to obtain the tool they need. Thisof course can be quite tiring especially during a long day. Therefore,due to the widespread use, the utility pole would provide a convenientlocation to engage and contain tools as needed.

Further, the conventional tool belt or other worn tool carrying devicemay run the risk of dropping or losing tools into the pool due toconstant bending and reaching off the edge of the pool and may get inthe way when bending down or maneuvering tight places around shrubberyor other obstructions. Additionally, should the worker have to enter thepool for maintenance, the conventional tool belt or other worn devicemust be removed, defeating the purpose of having a worn tool carryingdevice in the first place.

In another example, car mechanics change tools quite often requiringthem to continuously walk between workbenches and a vehicle. This taskcannot only be tiring but also distracting and therefore potentiallydangerous. A hydraulic floor jack is often employed at the location ofthe vehicle where work is being done. Therefore the jack, having a polelike handle, is already positioned in a convenient location close athand to the worker. The jack already being in widespread use and havinga pole-like handle would provide a convenient location to engage orcontain tools as needed.

As such there is a continuing and unmet need for a tool carrying devicethat is easily engaged to a pole such as but not limited to poolmaintenance utility poles or hydraulic floor jack handles. The deviceshould be easily engageable to the existing poles or alternatively beformed as an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The device herein disclosed and described provides a solution to theshortcomings in prior art and achieves the above noted goals through theprovision of a tool container device engaged to the end of a pole, suchas but not limited to a pool maintenance utility pole or hydraulic floorjack handle. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that thedevice can be similarly employed to any type pole and should not belimited to the descriptions and depictions set forth in the application.

In a first preferred mode, the device is removable engaged to the polevia frictional engagement or setscrew type engagement. In,another modethe device is integrally formed with the pole such as an OEM device.Generally, the device is a cylindrical body, such as a tubular pipe orpole, and includes a container cavity for storing tools such as a screwdriver or crescent wrench to name a few.

In an additional particularly preferred means of employment, the deviceoperatively engaged to a pool maintenance utility pole. A poolmaintenance pole conventionally consists of two or more segments of,concentrically telescopically engaged tubular pole members. The poletypically made of aluminum, plastic, or other lightweight durablematerial includes a distal end wherein a removable engaged cleaningdevice such as a scrubbing brush or net is employed providing the userwith an extended reach for deep and/or wide pools as needed. Theproximal end typically includes a handle or gripping portion to allowthe user to grip as needed for maneuvering the distal end of the pole.

In a further preferred means of employment, the device is engaged to theproximal end of a hydraulic floor jack handle. Conventionally ahydraulic floor jack handle is engaged to a hydraulic actuator at thedistal end. The user typically grips and vertically reciprocates theproximal end as needed for translating the jack platform and raising avehicle.

The device generally includes a cylindrical body member having an axialpassage formed within further defining a cylindrical sidewall of thebody. The device is preferably made of aluminum or other material suitedfor the intended purpose of the device as will become apparent shortly.The body further employs an end wall recessed a substantial distanceinto a second of two ends of the body member such as that of a portionof the cylindrical sidewall extends along the length of the device pastthe end wall.

In use the extending portion of the cylindrical sidewall at the secondend is circumferentially engaged over the proximal end of the pole suchthat the proximal end of the pole abuts the recessed end wall of thedevice. The axial passage of the body member may be formed slightlylarger than the exterior circumference of the pole such that the devicemay be frictionally engaged to the pole upon circumferential engagement.However, the device may additionally employ a setscrew or other meansfor biased removable engagement.

A first interior cavity or container is defined by the interior of thesidewall of the device from the end wall to a first end of the body,opposite the previously mentioned second end. The cavity provides astorage space to contain one or a plurality of tools such as, but notlimited to, screw driver, crescent wrench, hexagonal wrenches, to name afew. The first end may additionally include a cap to enclose theinterior cavity. Further, the interior cavity may employ a means tosecurely engage the tool such as a screwdriver within the cavity. Evenfurther, the exterior surface of the body member may be formed as a gripand employ additional apertures for holding additional tools as needed.

Since the utility pole and hydraulic jack are widely used in theirrespective industry, great advantage is found in that the tool containerof the present invention is maintained in engagement to the pole foreasy access. Tools are now readily available to the user due to theengagement of the device on the pole.

In another mode, the device may be unitarily formed with the pole suchas an OEM product. Furthermore, it is within the intended scope of thepresent invention to be adapted for engagement to any elongatedpole-like member such as a rod, shaft, or the like. Further, the devicemay employ additional cavities for containing additional tools.

With respect to the above description, before explaining at least onepreferred embodiment of the herein disclosed invention in detail; it isto be understood that the invention is not limited in its application tothe details of construction and to the arrangement of the components inthe following description or illustrated in the drawings. The inventionherein described is capable of other embodiments and of being practicedand carried out in various ways that will be obvious to those skilled inthe art. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology andterminology employed herein are for the purpose of description andshould not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conceptionupon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basisfor designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying outthe several purposes of the present disclosed device. It is important,therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalentconstruction and methodology insofar as they do not depart from thespirit and scope of the present invention.

It is an object of the invention to provide a tool container engaged tothe end of a pole such as a pool maintenance utility pole or hydraulicfloor jack handle, providing quick and easy access to tools containedwithin.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a tool container thatis removable from an existing pole.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a view of the device operatively engaged to a conventionalpool maintenance utility pole.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the device.

FIG. 3 shows a cross sectional view of the device of FIG. 2 along cut3-3.

FIG. 4 shows a front view of the device.

FIG. 5 shows an end view of the device.

FIG. 6 shows a front view of another mode of the intermediate support ofthe device employing a plurality of apertures.

FIG. 6 a shows front view of still another mode of the intermediatesupport of the device employing a plurality a substantially rectangularaperture.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the device of FIG. 2 showing the asused mode with a screw driver enclosed within and the device engagedover the exterior surface of the distal end of the pole.

FIG. 7 a is a cross sectional view of the device of FIG. 2 showing theas used mode with a screw driver enclosed within and the device engagedto the within the interior cavity of the distal end of the pole.

FIG. 8 shows a cross sectional view of another mode of the deviceemploying an additional passage formed on the exterior surface of thedevice for containing additional tools.

FIG. 9 is a front view of the device of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of still yet another mode of the deviceemploying a writing surface on the exterior.

FIG. 11 is an end view of the mode of the device of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 shows a side view of the device in yet another preferred modeemploying griping means.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Now referring to drawings in FIGS. 1-12, wherein similar components areidentified by like reference numerals, there is seen in FIG. 1 anisometric view of the tool container device 10 operatively engaged to apool maintenance utility pole 100. Although the following depictionsshow the device 10 engaged to a pool utility pole 100, it must beunderstood that the pole 100 can any type pole, rod, or pipe as would beobvious to a person skilled in the art. As such the followingdescription is meant to merely provide the simplest description to setforth the intended scope and purpose of the device 10 and shouldtherefore not be considered limiting by the figures.

A typical pole 100 includes a distal end 102 and gripping proximal end104 of concentrically telescopically engaged segments allowing a user toextend and retract the distal end 102 as needed for reaching areas of apool. In use the device 10 in the as-used position, engaged to theproximal end 104 of the pole 100 where the user conventionally grips thepole 100.

As such the operative employment of the device 10 at the gripping end104 of the pole 100 allows the user to access tools enclosed within thedevice 10 while concurrently holding the pole 100. A great amount ofutility is found in that a substantial amount of time and effort issaved allowing the user to more effectively clean the pool. Furthermore,if the user must enter the pool for any reason, the device 10 is simplyplaced on the ground or stored with the pole 100.

Still further utility is found through the employment of the device 10with a hydraulic floor jack handle (not shown). Vehicle service oftenrequires many tools as well as requires the user to elevate the vehiclesuch as with a hydraulic floor jack. Often the location of the part tobe serviced will dictate the location of the floor jack, thereforealready positioning the jack in a convenient location to house orcontain tools.

As shown in the side view of FIG. 2 the device 10 includes a cylindricaltubular body portion 12 having a first end 14 and a second end 16. Thebody portion 12 can be a pipe, tube, or the like extruded or generallyformed of a plastic, rubber, aluminum or the like. There is alsoincluded a cap member 18 of similar material for threaded removableengagement to the first end 14. Those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the cap 18 may be removed from the first end 14 by any means knownin the art such as snap fit, bayonet, twist, twist-and-lock, orfrictional engagement to name a few. Further, the sidewall of the body12 having an exterior surface 22 may include threads 20 at the first end14 if threaded engagement is employed.

Additionally the exterior 22 may be formed, shaped, or otherwise adaptedto provide a gripping means 54 by conforming to the grip of a user,shown and described in more detail later in FIG. 12. Briefly, this willallow the user to grip the device 10 as they normally would the end of apole 100 during use.

FIG. 3 shows a cross section of the device 10 of FIG. 2 along cut 3-3.The sidewall of the body 12 has an interior surface 23 that defines anaxial passage that extends in between the first end 14 and second end16. An end wall 28 is engaged within the axial passage, such as byfrictional engagement with, the interior surface 23, located preferablyat or near the second end 16 of the body 12. Those skilled in the artwill appreciate various means for engagement of the end wall 28 withinthe axial passage such as press fit; adhesive, welding, or the like. Assuch, the end wall 28 may be formed of any material suitable for suchengagement such as plastic, metal, ceramic, or other material oneskilled in the art would recognize as suitable for the intended purpose.

A first cavity 30 of the axial passage is formed by the interior wall 23between the first end 14 and end wall 28 and is preferably the majorityof the axial passage to accommodate a tool as will be shown shortly inFIG. 7. In addition, the first cavity 30 may be sealed water tight uponemployment of the end wall 28 and cap 18 on the first end 14.

Again, the end wall 28 can be plastic or other material inserted, pressfitted, or otherwise formed into the interior 23 of the device 10. Thesecond cavity 32 is formed by the interior wall 23 between the secondend 16 and the end wall 28 and provides a means for engagement of thedevice 10 to the distal end 104 of the pole 100 as will also becomeapparent upon further disclosure of FIG. 7 below.

Although the first cavity 30 can readily house any tool or tools withouta support 24, it is preferred that the device 10 additionally include anintermediate support 24 located substantially midway between the firstend 14 and end wall 28. The support 24 may similarly be a plastic orother material inserted, press-fitted, or other wise formed into theinterior 23 of the device 10.

In the preferred mode of the device 10, the support 24 includes anaperture 26 communicating there through along the direction of thelength of the device 10. In a preferred mode, the device 10 is intendedto receive a screwdriver 200 into the first cavity 30 of the body 12 asis shown in more detail shortly in FIG. 7. Briefly, the aperture 26provides a means to secure the screwdriver or tool from movement whenhoused in the cavity 30 and prevents rattling within the providedsecured engagement. Front and rear views of the device 10 can be seen inFIG. 4 and FIG. 5 respectively. It must be noted that the aperture 26can be formed of any shape as need to receive any sized or shaped toolhandle for secured engagement as will become obviously to a personskilled in the art upon further disclosure.

For example, in another mode of the device 10, the support 24 caninclude a plurality of apertures 27 communicating there throughproviding a means to secure a plurality of screwdrivers or other toolemploying elongated shafts. A front view of this mode of the support 24is shown in FIG. 6.

In still yet another mode of the device 10, the support 24 may employ asubstantially rectangular aperture 27′ communicating there throughproviding a means to secure a crescent wrench or other tool having asubstantially rectangular handle of shaft portion. A front view of thismode of the support 24 is shown in FIG. 6 a.

FIG. 7 shows again a side cross sectional view of the device 10 of FIG.2 showing the as-used mode wherein a screwdriver 200 is engaged within(cap element 18 has been omitted for clarity). Also shown is the device10 operatively engaged to the proximal end 104 of a pool utility pole100. In use, the second end 16 of the device 10 is intended to beremovable from the proximal end 104 of the pole 100 such as viafrictional engagement. As such the interior diameter of the secondcavity 32 may be operatively sized slightly larger than the exteriordiameter of the conventional pole 100 as to permit secured frictionalengagement.

However, the device 10 may alternatively or in combination employ asetscrew 34 extending from the exterior of the sidewall 22 through tothe interior 23 to biasly engaged the pole 100 as shown. Additionally,those skilled in the art will appreciate various other means for biaslyengaging the pole 100 into the second cavity 32 of the device 10 and areanticipated in this disclosure.

As can be seen in the figure, the shaft 204 of the screwdriver 200passes through the aperture 26 of the support 24 insofar as the handle202 abuts the stopper 24 to maintain the handle 202 substantially nearthe first end 14 for easy retrieval from the first cavity 30. In theother mode of the device 10 employing the support 24 of FIG. 6, aplurality of screwdrivers 200 or other tools can me secured within thecavity 30 of the device 10.

In yet an additional preferred means of employment of the device 10 thesecond end 16 is cooperatively engaged into the hollow cavity 106 of thepole 100, should the pole be hollow, as is seen in FIG. 7 a. As such,the exterior surface 22 engages in biased frictional engagement with theinterior of the cavity 106 of the pole 100. This mode may beparticularly preferred if the pole 100 is substantially large as toeasily receive the second end 16 of the device 10 in biased frictionalengagement. In this mode the end wall 28 may alternatively be positionedat the second end 16 insofar as the second cavity 32 is no longernecessary for engagement to the pole 100. As such in this mode the firstcavity 30 would be defined as the axial passage communicating from thefirst end 14 to the end wall, and substantially the entire length of thebody 12 of the device 10.

Furthermore, it is within the intended scope of the present inventionthat the support 24 of the device 10 may be formed to secure a varietyof other tools possible not having elongated shafts or similarcomponents and is anticipated within the disclosure. However, sincetools come in many shapes, sizes, and forms, it is not within thepresent application to disclose each and every possible means forsecuring other tools as intended with the device 10. With that it mustbe noted that the descriptions and depictions set forth should not beconsidered limiting: In addition, the stopper 24 may be completelyremoved as needed.

Yet another particularly preferred mode of the device 10 is shown in aside view of FIG. 8 wherein the exterior surface 22 of the body 12 isshaped, extruded, or generally formed to include an additional cavity 40adjacent the first and second cavities 30,32 to additional secure othertools as needed. A front view is shown in FIG. 9.

The cavity 40 extends from a first end 41 to a second end 42 that ispreferably capped or closed by an end Wall 43. The device 10 may includea plurality of such additional cavities 40 formed in an array about theexterior 22 of the body 12 as needed and should not be consideredlimiting by the depiction. Further, additional cavities 40 may include aremovable cap (not shown) at the first end 41 that can providewaterproof sealed engagement of the cavity 40 as needed for keepingcontents within dry.

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of still yet another particularlypreferred mode of the device 10 wherein the exterior surface 22 of thebody 12 is shaped, extruded, or generally formed to include a protrusion52 having a flat writing surface 52. The surface 52 is preferable a dryerase surface, such as those found in classroom whiteboards, employablewith erasable dry erase markers. However the surface 52 can be anysurface to receive writing from a conventional writing implement andshould not be considered limiting. For example the surface may be paperstationery with a strip of adhesive on the back.

This mode provides the user with a means to impart writing on the device10 as needed to keep notes or write reminders. Often during a days workthere are many tasks to be accomplished and this provides a convenientmeans to keep track of the daily tasks or remember client informationfor example.

It must be noted that this mode may be employable with any and all othermodes of the device 10 previously disclosed. It may be additionallyadvantageous to employ the current mode of the device 10 with that ofFIG. 9 as the additional cavity 40 provide can provide a storage meansfor a marker or other writing implement.

FIG. 12 shows a still yet additional preferred mode of the device 10wherein the exterior surface 22 of the body of the device 10 is formed,shaped, or otherwise adapted to include a gripping means 54. Suchgripping means 54 may be any means known in the art providing a means toconform to the grip of a user. Those skilled in the art will immediatelyrecognize that the gripping means 54 may be easily modified to conformto one or a combination of a large grip, small grip, and left hand orright hand oriented grip. Further those skilled will appreciate thevarious modifications necessary to provide a gripping means 54accommodating any of the former grip types and as such the grippingmeans 54 should not be considered limiting by the depiction.

Further noting that the provision of a gripping means 54 may be employedseparately or in combination with any of the other preferred modes ofthe device 10 previously disclosed. One skilled in the art wouldimmediately recognize means to combine any or possibly all preferredmodes of the device 10 and as such should not be considered limiting toany one such mode.

While all of the fundamental characteristics and features of theinvention have been shown and described herein, with reference toparticular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, variouschanges and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure andit will be apparent that in some instances, some features of theinvention may be employed without a corresponding use of other featureswithout departing from the scope of the invention as set forth. Itshould also be understood that various substitutions, modifications, andvariations may be made by those skilled in the art without departingfrom the spirit or scope of the invention. Consequently, all suchvariations are included within the scope of the invention as defined bythe following claims.

What is claimed:
 1. A tool container comprising; an elongated sidewallhaving a first end and a second end; said sidewall having an interiorsurface defining an axial passage therein extending in between saidfirst and second end; said sidewall having an exterior surface; meansfor engagement of said second end to a proximal end of a pole therebypositioning said tool container in an as-used position; a cap; means forremovable engagement of said cap to said first end whereby a tool may beremoved or positioned within said cavity for storage and transport whilesaid tool container in said as-used position.
 2. A tool container ofclaim 1 further comprising; said end wall being disposed at locationbetween said first end and said second end; a first cavity within saidaxial passage defined by the space within said axial passage from saidend wall to said first end; a second, cavity within said axial passagedefined by the space within said axial passage from said end wall tosaid second end; and whereby said tool is stored within said firstcavity and said second cavity is configured to provide said means forengagement to said proximal end of said pole.
 3. A tool container ofclaim 1 further comprising; said end wall disposed at said second end; afirst cavity within said axial'passage defined by the space within saidaxial passage from said end wall to said first end; and whereby saidtool is stored within said first cavity.
 4. A tool container of claim 2further comprising; a support element, said support element engagedwithin said interior surface between said first end and said end wall;one or a plurality of apertures communicating through said supportelement in said first direction; and a portion of said toolcommunicating through one of said apertures providing means to supportsaid tool in between opposing portions of said interior surface.
 5. Atool container of claim 3 further comprising; a support element, saidsupport element engaged within said interior surface between said firstend and said end wall; one or a plurality of apertures communicatingthrough said support element in said first direction; and said supportelement positioned to receive components of said tool through saidapertures providing secured engagement thereof.
 6. A tool container ofclaim 2 wherein said means to engage said body to a pole comprises; saidpole having an exterior surface and a distal end; said second cavitypositioned to receive said distal end; and said interior surfaceproviding biased fractional engagement of said exterior surface of saidpole.
 7. A tool container of claim 4 wherein said means to engage saidbody to a pole comprises; said pole having an exterior surface and adistal end; said second cavity positioned to receive said distal end;and said interior surface providing biased fractional engagement of saidexterior surface of said pole.
 8. A tool container of claim 5 whereinsaid means to engage said body to a pole comprises; said pole having aninterior surface, and a distal end; said distal end positioned toreceive said second end; and said exterior surface of said bodyproviding biased fractional engagement of said interior surface of saidpole.
 9. A tool container of claim 6 further comprising; a set screwcommunicating from said exterior surface of said sidewall to saidinterior surface; and said screw engaged to said exterior surface ofsaid pole proving secured engagement thereof.
 10. A tool container ofclaim 7 further comprising; a set screw communicating from said exteriorsurface of said sidewall to said interior surface; and said screwengaged to said exterior surface of said pole proving secured engagementthereof.
 11. A tool container of claim 8 further comprising; a cap; andmeans for removable engagement of said cap to said first end.
 12. A toolcontainer of claim 9 further comprising; a cap; and means for removableengagement of said cap to said first end.
 13. A tool container of claim10 further comprising; a cap; and means for removable engagement of saidcap to said first end.
 14. A tool container of claim 1 furthercomprising; said exterior surface of said sidewall formed with anadditional passage communicating from said first end to said second endalong said first direction; said second end of said additional passagebeing capped; and whereby said additional passage is engaged with anadditional tool.
 15. A tool container of claim 11 further comprising;said exterior surface of said sidewall formed with an additional passagecommunicating from said first end to said second end along said firstdirection; said second end of said additional passage being capped; andwhereby said additional passage is engaged with an additional tool. 16.A tool container of claim 12 further comprising; said exterior surfaceof said sidewall formed with an additional passage communicating fromsaid first end to said second end along said first direction; saidsecond end of said additional passage being capped; and whereby saidadditional passage is engaged with additional tool.
 17. A tool containerof claim 13 further comprising; said exterior surface of said sidewallformed with an additional passage communicating from said first end tosaid second end along said first direction; said second end of saidadditional passage being capped; and whereby said additional passage isengaged with an additional tool.
 18. A tool container of claim 13further comprising; said exterior surface of said sidewall formed with awriting surface.
 19. A tool container of claim 17 further comprising;said exterior surface of said sidewall formed with a writing surface.20. A tool container of claim 2 further comprising; said exteriorsurface of said sidewall formed with a gripping means, said grippingmeans being one or a combination of large grip, small grip, right handedgrip, and left handed grip; and whereby said gripping means conforms toa user grip.
 21. A tool container of claim 11 further comprising; saidexterior surface of said sidewall formed with a gripping means, saidgripping means being one or a combination of large grip, small grip,right handed grip, and left handed grip; and whereby said gripping meansconforms to a user grip.
 22. A tool container of claim 13 furthercomprising; said exterior surface formed with a gripping means, saidgripping means being one or a combination of large grip, small grip,right handed grip, and left handed grip; and whereby said gripping meansconforms to a user grip
 23. A tool container of claim 16 furthercomprising; said exterior surface of said sidewall formed with agripping means, said gripping means being one or a combination of largegrip, small grip, right handed grip, and left handed grip; and wherebysaid gripping means conforms to a user grip.